Dianthus plant named ‘KLEDG14178’

ABSTRACT

A new  dianthus  plant named ‘KLEDG14178’ particularly distinguished by purple-red flowers with a dark red center and small, dark blue-green foliage, is disclosed.

Genus and species: Dianthus sp.

Variety denomination: ‘KLEDG14178’.

BACKGROUND

The present invention comprises a new and distinct variety of Dianthus, botanically known as Dianthus sp. and hereinafter referred to by the variety name ‘KLEDG14178’. ‘KLEDG14178’ originated from a branch mutation found on the proprietary dianthus line ‘DSU 2011 0033’ (unpatented).

In June 2011 ‘KLEDG14178’ was discovered as a mutation from the proprietary dianthus line ‘DSU 2011 0033’ in Stuttgart, Germany. ‘KLEDG14178’ was first vegetatively propagated in June 2011 in Stuttgart, Germany by vegetative stem cuttings. ‘KLEDG14178’ was found to reproduce true to type in successive generations of asexual propagation via vegetative stem cuttings in Stuttgart, Germany.

SUMMARY

The following are the most outstanding and distinguishing characteristics of this new variety when grown under normal horticultural practices in Stuttgart, Germany.

-   -   1. Purple-red flowers with a dark red center; and     -   2. Small, dark blue-green foliage.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPH

These new Dianthus plant is illustrated by the accompanying photograph, which shows the overall plant habit of the variety ‘KLEDG14178’ grown in a pot. The photograph is of a 10 to 12 week old plant in Stuttgart, Germany grown under greenhouse conditions in May 2013.

The colors shown are as true as can be reasonably obtained by conventional photographic procedures.

DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW VARIETY

The following detailed descriptions set forth the distinctive characteristics of ‘KLEDG14178’. The data which define these characteristics were collected from asexual reproductions carried out in Stuttgart, Germany. Data was collected on four month old plants grown in a glass greenhouse in Stuttgart, Germany in March, 2014. Color references are to The R.H.S. Colour Chart of The Royal Horticultural Society of London (R.H.S.), 5^(th) edition.

-   Classification:     -   -   Family.—Caryophyllaceae.         -   Species.—Dianthus sp.         -   Common name.—Garden carnation.         -   Type.—Spray type carnation. -   Parentage: Mutation from the proprietary dianthus ‘DSU 2011 0033’. -   Propagation:     -   -   Type.—Vegetative stem cuttings.         -   Time to produce a rooted young plant.—About 20 days.         -   Root description.—Small, white, well-branched.         -   Rooting habit.—Lanceolate. -   Plant description:     -   -   Plant form.—Potted and garden plant, bushy.         -   Plant height.—10.0 cm.         -   Plant diameter or spread.—18.0 cm. -   Lateral branches:     -   -   Stem.—Solid.         -   Length.—6.0 cm.         -   Diameter.—1.5 cm.         -   Number of internodes per stem.—3 to 4.         -   Internode length.—0.6 cm.         -   Node length.—0.3 cm.         -   Node diameter.—0.3 cm.         -   Texture.—Smooth.         -   Color.—RHS 137B. -   Foliage description:     -   -   Arrangement.—Opposite.         -   Length.—5.0 cm.         -   Width.—0.2 cm.         -   Shape.—Lanceolate.         -   Apex.—Acute.         -   Base.—Obtuse.         -   Margin.—Entire.         -   Texture.—Upper and lower surfaces: Smooth.         -   Color.—Immature and mature leaves: Upper surface: RHS 137B.             Lower surface: RHS 137C.         -   Venation pattern.—Parallel.         -   Venation.—RHS 137D. -   Flower description:     -   -   Flower type and habit.—Single, round.         -   Flower position.—Slightly above the foliage.         -   Fragrance.—Absent.         -   Natural flowering season.—Spring to fall.         -   Flower longevity.—6 to 8 days.         -   Number of flowers per spray.—3 to 4.         -   Flower buds.—Length: 1.8 cm. Diameter: 0.5 cm. Shape:             Cylindrical. Color: RHS 137C. Extrusion of the styles at bud             stage: Absent.         -   Corolla.—Quantity of petals/arrangement: 5, whorled. Corolla             height: 0.5 cm. Petal length: 3.0 cm. Petal width: 1.4 cm.             Petal shape: V-shaped. Petal apex: Obtuse. Petal base:             Cuspidate. Petal margin: Serrate, depth is medium. Petal             texture: Upper and lower surfaces: Smooth. Petal color:             Immature: Upper surface: Main color is RHS 61B and the             secondary color in the eye is RHS 59A. Lower surface: RHS             61C. Mature: Upper surface: Main color is RHS 61B and the             secondary color in the eye is RHS 59B. Lower surface: RHS             60C. Calyx: Quantity of sepals/arrangement: 5, single. Calyx             height: 2.0 cm. Calyx diameter, at the apex: 0.5 cm. Shape:             Campanulate. Sepal apex shape: Acute. Sepal texture: Upper             and lower surfaces: Smooth. Sepal color: Upper surface: RHS             137C. Lower surface: RHS 137D. Epicalyx: Position of the             outer lobes in relation to the calyx: Adpressed. Apex shape             of inner and outer lobes: Acute. Length: 0.7 cm. -   Peduncles:     -   -   Length.—6.0 cm.         -   Diameter.—1.0 cm.         -   Strength.—Moderate.         -   Texture.—Smooth.         -   Color.—RHS 136B. -   Reproductive organs:     -   -   Stamens.—Quantity: Greater than 5. Filament length: 1.0 cm.             Filament color: RHS 75B. Anther length: 0.15 cm. Anther             diameter: 0.08 cm. Anther color: RHS 91D. Pollen amount:             Sparse.         -   Pistils.—Quantity: 1. Pistil length: 0.8 cm. Style length:             0.1 cm. Style color: RHS 76D. Style shoulder: Absent. Stigma             shape: Filamentous. Stigma color: RHS 72A. Ovary size:             0.4 cm. Ovary shape: Ovate. Ovary color: RHS 139D. Ovary             texture: Smooth. Fruits/seeds: None observed. -   Disease and insect/pest resistance: No special observations were     made.

COMPARISON WITH PARENTAL LINE AND KNOWN VARIETY

When ‘KLEDG14178’ is compared to the parental line, the following differences are noted in Table 1:

TABLE 1 Comparison with Parental Line Variety Female parent Trait ‘KLEDG14178’ ‘DSU 2011 0033’ Flower color Purple-Red with a Dark purple with dark red center dark center

When ‘KLEDG14178’ is compared to the commercial line ‘Kahori’ (patent status unknown), the following differences are noted in Table 2:

TABLE 2 Comparison with Similar Variety Variety Commercial line Trait ‘KLEDG14178’ ‘Kahori’ Flower color Purple-red with a dark red center Purple and blue Color of foliage Dark green-blue Green Size of leaves Small Medium 

We claim:
 1. A new and distinct variety of Dianthus plant named ‘KLEDG14178’ as illustrated and described herein. 